Governor Mead Takes Action on ENDOW Preliminary Recommendations

CHEYENNE, Wyo. – Governor Mead signed two Executive Orders today based on recommendations by
the ENDOW Executive Council in their December Preliminary Findings and
Recommendations report. The first Executive Order (EO) establishes an educational
attainment goal for Wyoming workers (age 25 – 64). The second EO provides
contracting opportunities for local technology businesses bidding on state
contracts.

University of
Wyoming President Laurie Nichols and several of Wyoming’s community college
presidents were in attendance for the signing of the EOs. The Governor’s action
on Educational Attainment, supported by the Wyoming Community College
Commission and the University of Wyoming Board of Trustees, calls for 67
percent of Wyoming’s working age population to hold a post-secondary credential
(certificate or degree) by 2025 and 82 percent to hold a post-secondary
credential by 2040.

“Education is the
foundation for diversifying our economy – we need an educated and trained work
force,” said Governor Mead. “I’m asking our education leaders to work together
and implement a plan to provide post-secondary opportunities our citizens need
and the prepared and skilled employees businesses are looking for.”

Executive Council
Member Mary Ellbogen Garland, President of the John P. Ellbogen Foundation,
said, “Wyoming’s young people are our greatest resource. The Executive Council
wanted to be clear from the outset that a highly-skilled workforce, who can
command good salaries and afford to stay and raise their families in Wyoming,
is a top priority. With this action the Governor has brought together Wyoming’s
key higher education stakeholders, including UW and Wyoming’s community
colleges, and articulated a shared vision that supports our young people, our
business community, and our economic vitality now and long into the future.”

“The State spends
approximately $100 million on technology contracts annually. Less than three
percent of those contracts are awarded to Wyoming companies – we need to change
that,” Governor Mead said in reference to the Technology Contracts EO. “The State
should take steps to use more services provided by Wyoming companies, and this
EO outlines those measures.”

Executive Council
member Matt Kaufman, a Cheyenne attorney focused on startups and
entrepreneurship, was pleased to see the Governor’s commitment to supporting
Wyoming’s burgeoning technology sector.

“It is absolutely
key that we encourage Wyoming technology businesses to compete for state
contracts. As the Governor has frequently expressed, Wyoming has the potential
to become a hub for information technology, cybersecurity, and the management
of big data,” Kaufman said. “The Governor’s action today sends a strong signal
to entrepreneurs and established technology firms that Wyoming is forward
looking and eager to work with technology industry leaders who choose to live,
work, and create good paying jobs right here in Wyoming.”

Governor Mead also
signed a letter to Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) Director Bill
Panos asking WYDOT to research a “one dig” policy to facilitate the
installation of broadband conduit as part of highway construction and other
projects.

“It is wonderful to
see Governor Mead quickly act on the Executive Council’s recommendations,” said
Executive Council Member and Silver Star Chief Financial Officer Barbara
Sessions. “All of the actions taken today are critical first steps to
diversifying our economy and recruiting, returning, and retaining young
people.”

The EOs are available on the Governor's
website: governor.wyo.gov/documents/executive-orders.